Crime figures slide in Bihar since liquor prohibition: Nitish Kumar

Patna, May 6: The police crime statistics in Bihar backs Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's claim that crime rate has come down by about 27 per cent since imposition of total prohibition in the state in early April.

Crime figures compiled by state police headquarters reflect slide in heinous crimes like murder, kidnapping for ransom, rape, dacoity, arms act, atrocities against women and SC & ST and riots among others during the month of April as compared to data of last year.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced complete ban on sale and consumption of alcohol, including country, spiced and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), in the state on April 5 last. Murder cases fell from 276 in April 2015 to 206 in April 2016, a decline of 25.36 per cent, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Alok Raj, who is the nodal officer for enforcement of prohibition, told PTI today.

The police headquarters have compiled the figures on the basis of reports submitted by respective SSPs and SPs of districts following the prohibition. As per data, a total of 12 persons were kidnapped for ransom in April 2015, while the number declined to one in April this year.

The number of rape cases fell from 112 to 59 in April this year, a decline of 47.32 per cent. Asked whether prohibition alone was the reason for decline in the crime graph this April in the state, the ADG said "Prohibition and pro-active policing have been major contributors for decline in the number of criminal cases in April this year."

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been claiming that crime has dropped by about 27 per cent since Bihar was declared a total dry state.

PTI